Former club president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro (commonly referred to as LAOR) also branded Neymar Sr "a jerk" on Wednesday, saying it was right to take "people like him" to court.

This was a step too far for the Selecao attacker - a second-half substitute in the 2-0 win at Manchester City on Wednesday - who ripped into the Peixe hierarchy while defending his parents' company, N&N, for making money off the back of his lucrative move to La Liga.

"Once again I am taking the liberty of speaking of a matter that has gone over the lines," Neymar wrote on his official Instagram account.

"Today, I understand why my friend Ganso didn't stay in Santos: it wasn't because he didn't like the club or didn't want to play for Santos, but because of the board of directors!

"I always respected all of them and I have been extremely professional. I'm utterly disappointed with former president LAOR and the current one, Odilio. But mostly LAOR, whom I have always treated with utmost affection and admiration.

"Today all that is gone after the things he said about my father. I'm sick of that, all that talking is getting on my nerves! If he thought my father was dumb, he was wrong!

"I'm a fan of my father and I'll continue to be for having taken me to where I am today and if he made millions over that, what's the problem? He worked, he didn't wait for anything to fall from the skies.

"I'm done with them. I'm sorry Santos fans, but two people will not make my affection for Santos go away."